Meow! Surviving a New Kitten
| September 6, 2010 | Posted by admin under Kitten Training |
- Introducing a new kitten
Bringing a new kitten into your home can be pretty stressful for them, as well as the rest of your family – especially if you already have a resident cat. There is a great deal advice out on the Web to tell people what to do, including how to introduce the recent kitten to the family, what they should eat and where they should sleep. But, it is often difficult to know what’s best. Based on personal experiences, here is a FAQ that should help clear up some of these questions and issues.
Q: How do I know if my family is ready for a kitten?
Studies show that cats live longer and suffer from less anxiety if there is another cat in the household. This is a great reason to bring a cat into your home, however, manufacture sure the rest of the family is ready to derive the kitten. How will the new addition change your routines, and change the attitude of your resident cat? If you think it may be too much for your cat too handle, or if it seems like they are perfectly ravishing without a same-animal companion, it might be a good idea to contain off. Often times, children are the deciding factors for whether or not an animal should join the family. If your children would like to take care of a new pet, this is a gargantuan opportunity to work with them regarding responsibility, but make obvious you are ready to take over in case the novelty of a new pet wears off. Most likely, you will be left with the everyday care of the new kitten.
Q: What is the best way to introduce the kitten to our home and family?
Many Web sites recommend that you keep the kitten in a smaller room with their own litterbox and food dishes. For a gargantuan house, this is a good idea since the kitten may hide in hard to reach spots, such as behind or under furniture. However, this really depends on the personality of your family – and your resident cat. Is your resident cat generally beneficial and handsome open to new people and animals? If this is the case, it might work out to introduce the pals to each other right away.
It will be beneficial to establish special places for your resident cat where the newbie won’t be able to go – such as on a special blanket, in a box or in their favorite sleeping situation. The new kitten should also have its own place that it can identify as its own.
With anything, it will be superb to the relationship if you separate the kitten from the resident cat occasionally so that he or she does not become extremely attached to the older cat. Some times, the kitten will look to the older cat as his or her mother. This will be an annoyance for the older cat. By separating the two, the kitten will be able to realize that he or she can survive without being at the side of the resident cat.
Q: I’m scared that my resident cat will resent the current kitten. How can I make sure that this doesn’t happen?
This is a common fear. Often times, when a kitten is brought into the home, it is treated differently than the resident cat. This changes your relationship with your cat as you spend more time with the kitten, play with the kitten and generally give him or her more attention. It is imperative that you give your resident cat unprejudiced as much, if not more, attention than before. This will help him or her realize that the recent kitten isn’t there to replace them – its there to be a friend. It will also instruct your resident cat that you mild care for them and savor your relationship.
In addition, reserve some time with your resident cat during the times that the kitten is separated from them. This time can be spent playing or cuddling. Either way, it will show the resident cat that they are still distinguished to you and the family.
Q: I introduced my resident cat to the kitten, but now my cat keeps biting at the kitten and hissing at her. What does this mean?
Your cat is simply trying to show the unusual kitten who the boss is in your household. They are trying to show the kitten who has the power and what the pecking order is for the household. Generally, its best if you don’t interrupt and let them do their thing. But, if it starts to get too violent, try to intervene in the best way possible. Either make a loud noise or spray them with water. Try to avoid yelling at them as this makes the kitten scared of you and will most likely confuse your resident cat.
Even cats who have been friends for years tranquil hiss at each other (much like humans). Often times, this is over food, litter box rights or toys. Unless the resident cat is showing unusual hostility towards the new kitten, this will diminish over the next few weeks as they become more stale to each other.
Q: How can I tell if they like each other?
It can take months, even years, before cats become friends. This is usually the case when the resident cat is much older than the unique kitten, or if you are introducing an older cat into your household. If your cats are pretty close in age, such as two or three years, they should get along pretty well. Although they may still hiss and bat each other with their paws, you can tell if they are buds when they start playing with each other by either chasing each other around (in a friendly manner) or playing with toys together. Many times, cats will begin to groom each other – this is the ultimate sign of trust.
Q: My new kitten seems terrified of humans and is happiest when she is near my other cat. How can I fix this?
Up to 12 weeks of age, kittens’ socialization skills are tranquil develping. During this time, its best to introduce the kitten to as many people, cats and dogs as possible. This will make it easier later in life. Often times, if kittens aren’t introduced to other cats or humans during this time, he or she will become extremely disquieted and scared of any movement made by the unknown human or animal.
If your kitten is still young enough, its possible to change this behavior. Work with the kitten and try to get her to trust you. Holding her for at least twenty minutes a day and playing with her are the best ways for her to learn that you aren’t “bad.” If the kitten is young enough, she will adopt the resident cat as her surrogate mother and will watch how your other cat interacts with you. She will most likely follow suite. Therefore, its essential that she sees what your relationship is like with your other cat. This will help perform her trust.
Most of all, its important to be patient with the kitten. Don’t get upset if she continually backs away from you or is scared of you. Make positive to depart slowly around the kitten and talk in soft, soothing tones. It helps to hold the kitten when she is tired or sleeping. This is also a great time to establish her on your lap and have her get used to being around you.
Most of all, this transition is going to take time and patience. Every cat has a different personality. Like people, some of them work well together and others purchase some work. Overall, your resident cat will be happier to have a companion in the household, as well as a playmate. For more information, or if you have any questions about bringing a new pet into your house, your best source is your veterinarian.
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